Dyeing machine



April 1931- F. CHATFIELD 1,800,859

DYEING MACHINE Filed y 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l DYE Jl/PPL Y DYE RETURN Array/vars April 14,1931, 7 CHATHELD 1,800,859

DYEING MACHINE le M y 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1931.

F. CHATFIELD 1,800,859

DYEING MACHINE Filed y 12. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fawn/2502 FEAN/nL/NCf/A THELD 5mm WW Patented Apr. 14, 1931 soasss umreosmrss PATENT OFFICE FRANKLIN GHATFIELD, F KINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNDR TO THE NURSING- WEAR CORPORATION, OF MINNEAPOLIS; MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF MIN- NESOTA DYEING MACHINE Application filed m 12, 1928. Serial no. 277,170.

My invention relates to machines or attachments to machines or devic'es for applying a coloring, moistenin'g or softening agent or liquid or other suitable substance to a traveling yarn, thread, or fibrous material for the purpose of intermittently spotting, moistening or softening the yarn or other material, to the end that when the yarn or thread is fashioned into a garment a pleasing mottled, spotted or variegated effect will be produced, or the yarn or thread will be suitably moistened or softened.

The primary object of the invention is to project a suitable 1i u'id upon a receiving element to be trans erred therefrom to a traveling yarn or thread.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device, byrmeans of which the size or area of the spots formed in the yarn or thread may be varied so that the appearance of the fabric formed from the yarn or thread may be changed.

A further object is to provide means for easily and quickly changing the space or interval between the spots on the yarn or thread.

A further object is to provide a device which will permit the spots to be spaced a uniform or regular distance apart, or a variable distance as may be desired.

A. further object is to provide means for shifting the yarn or thread transversely with respect to its direction of movement so that undue wear of the spot applying elements through contact with the yarn may be prevented.

A further object is to provide a rotor adapted to be engaged and operated through contact with the yarn or thread with provision for dismounting the rotor easily and quickly to substitute one of another form or type therefor.

A further object is to provide an improved receptacle of closure in which the spot applying rotor operates, alltending to faster and better work and greater ease of adjustment and change or substitution of one part for another.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

The'invention consists generallyof various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming partof this specification, y y

Figure 1 is a plan view of a dyeing attachment or machine embodying my invention;

Figure -2 is a side elevation of the attachment, the wall of the rotor container being broken away to show the position'of therotor therein; a

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 -3 of Figure 1; i

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the'line 4. l o'f Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end view partially in section showing the means for directing the yarn or thread to and from the rotor and the preferred means for imparting a movement to the yarn transverse to its direction of travel;

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 66 of Figure 1; t

Figure 7 is a detailed view of one form of rotor;

Figure 8 is a side View of the same;

Figure 9 is a plan View of a modified form of rotor; y

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional View of a modifiedform of container and the manner of mounting the rotor therein; and

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view through the shell or container of Figure 10 with the cover in its raised position, indicated by dotted lines.

In the drawing, 2 represents a suitable cup or container having suitable brackets 3 and 4: formed preferably on the lower walls thereof andprovided with holes wherein supply .and return pipes Sand 6 are mounted. These pipes are of suitable size, pipe 5 being connected with a suitable source of dye supply or other liquid to be used and communicating through a duct 7 with a nozzle 8 through which the dye orother coloring agent or liquidma'y be discharged into the chamber 9 within the container. Any suitable means not shown may be provided for delivering the dye or other liquid to the pipe 5, and preferably this dye will beunder pressure,

I have shown a lug 12 formed on the case of the container and adapted to receive a shaft 13 as a convenient means of supporting the device. Arms 1a are formed on the base of thecontainer, and a rod 15 is secured'to said arms. A carrier arm 17 having a sleeve 16 is mounted on the rod 15. A spring catch 18 is mounted'in one of the arms 14 cooperating with a socket in the end of the sleeve 16 for normally holding the carrier arm in its closed position. This arm is adapted to overhang the open top of thecontai er 2 and is provided with a hub 19 which depends within the chamber 9 and has a flanged portion 20 .against which aco'ver plate 21 is seated and secured to the carrier arm by suitable means such as screws 22. A spindle 23 fits withina bore in the hub 19 and has an annular groove 24 adapted to receive a spring pressed pin 25 by means of which the spindle is normally held within the bore in the hub, but may be readily pulled therefrom, the

. spring pressed pin sliding on the walls of the groove and permitting freedom of withdraw al of the spindle for its re-insertion into the bore in the hub. The cover p latehas preferably a series of holes 21 which admit air intothe container and prevent the rotor from forming air currents or eddies therein. {The spindle hasa head 26 at'its lower end and a hub 27 is loosely seated on said head and adapted to revolve onthe spindle 23. A series of spoke-like members 28 radiate from each end of the hub 27 and 'these'me'mbers sorb the dye rapidly and a considerable quan- 'tity of it, or they may be of a hard-er nature preferably have eyes 30 formed in their outor ends. If the spoke members are made of wire, a suitable material for the purpose, the

outer ends are bent and the eyes easily and quickly formed therein. Thespoke members, .as shown in Figure 7, are a uniform distance apart and with the supporting hub form the frame of the rotor that is carriedby and rotates freely on the spindle 23.

Between the opposite spoke members I pro vide'the dye receiving elements 31. These may be of fibrous material with their ends supported in the eyes of the; spoke members and of soft yielding texture adapted to Tab.-

and less pervious ofthe dye, depending upon the quantity of dye the operator wishes to apply to the yarn or thread and the diameter or gage of these dye applying elements may be varied according to the area or size of the spots the operator wishes to form on the yarn or thread. If the operator only wishes to form small spots on the yarn or thread, then he may use a dye receiving element of small gage, or one that has a comparatively hard surface suchas silk cord or thread, while on the other hand,1f he wlshes to increase thearea of' the spots, then he will use a soft dye receiving element or one 'that is-com-- paratively large in cross section. For convenience, the user of the device will supply himself with a number of rotors, each one equipped with dye receiving elements of varying gage or diameter or reception of the dye, and whenever desired, the supporting spindle may. be pulledf'outof the hub, the rotor being used removed, and another one substituted therefor, all with comparatively little loss of time and labor,

I do not confine myselfto thefuseof the fibrous dye receiving elements, as a' fine braided or twisted wire may be used, the dye collecting in'the little depressions between the strands-and depositedtherefromupon the yarn or thread asit moves along;

The outer ends of the spokev members of the rotor are, asindicated' in; Figure 4, substantially opposite the nozzle opening 10,

so that the dye delivered to' the chamber, 9

will be delivered tole'a ch receiving element as it is carried along by the-revolving'rotor;

Any other liquid ofa suitable'nature may beused instead of a dye with equally good results, the receiving element transmitting the liquid or semi-liquid agent from the in take nozzle to the yarn or thread.

ice

The yarn 'indicated'by referenoe numeral will" cause the transmission of'the dye. in 1 spots to the yarn or thread, the distance between the spots bei ng governed of course by i the distance between the dye receiving' elementsand the size of the spots or area thereof being regulated by the diameter or gage of the thread, cord or whatever maybe used to receive the dye and deliver it to the yarn. The quantity of dye delivered to thechamher will of course beregulated to prevent waste or an undeslrable or unne ;essary-de-' livery to the yarn. V

The rod 15 has an eye 35 formed thereon and open on the under, side as indicated in Figure 5 for the convenientinsertion of the n, in

of downwardly.

yarn or thread as it passes out of the dye chamber, and at the opposite end of the rod 15, I prefer to provide a pivoted bar 36 also having an eye opening upwardly instead A hub 37 is mounted to rock on the shaft 13 and is provided with a lug 38 that is connected with the bar 36 by a link 39. An arm all) is secured to the shaft 13 and is provided with a roller ll to ride on an eccentric 42 that is carried by a shaft 4-3. This mechanism causes a vertical oscillation of the bar 36 and a corresponding movement of the yarn transversely to its di rection of travel. The purpose of this movement is to cause the yarn or thread to travel up and down on the dye receiving elements 31 shown in Figure 2 and prevent undue wear of these elements which might result if the yarn touched them in approximately the same spot during the revolution of the rotor. The degree of transverse movement of the yarn with respect to the dye receiving ele ments may of course be changed as may seem advisable or necessary in the operation of the machine.

In Figure 9 I have shown a modified form of rotor in which the spoke-like members indicated by numeral 28 are unequally spaced apart around the periphery of the rotor, the purpose of this being to prevent any possible regularity or uniformity in the spotting or coloring of the yarn or thread and lessen the chance or probability of a set pattern or fig are being formed in the fabric made from the yarn or fibre so spotted. It will be understood of course that the number of these spoke-like members and the dye-carrying elements supported thereby, may be increased or decreased as preferred, and of course the spacing between the spoke-like members can be varied as conditions may require. 3

In Figure 10 I have shown a modification which consists in providing a modified form of cup or container 44 having a dye supply pipe 45 and a return 46, the former being equipped with a suitable nozzle 47 through which the dye is directed upon the dye receiving elements supported within the container. lhe rotor, which may correspond to those heretofore described, is arranged in an upright or vertical plane, its hub being supported by a pm -48 mounted in sultable bearin e5) provided in the container. The upper portion of the container is preferably open and may be closed by a suitable cover 50 of suitable material hinged at 51 if preferred and adapted to tilt to one side to expose the rotor and the chamber of the container. Suitable openings are provided in the cover 50 and guides 52 receive the yarn or thread that is stretched within the container over the top of the rotor which will be driven as the yarn or thread is fed through the container.

The device may be used as an attachment for a machine or in any position where the dye spotting operation can be conveniently performed, as the yarn or thread travels from one holder to another or from one position to another. The carrier and cover of the container being raised, theyarnor thread can be conveniently inserted into slots 34 and carried partially around the rotor, contacting with a sufficient number of thedye receiving elements to insure the rotation of the rotor at a speed corresponding to the movement of the yarn. During this engagement of the yarn with the dye receiving elements, a suit able lateral movement will be impartedto the yarn sothat its point of contact with the elements will be continually changing and thereby undue wear of the'elements will be avoided. Whenever desired,the cover of the container may be raised, exposing the rotor, which maybe easily and quickly removed from the carrier and another onesubstituted therefor in case it is desired to use dye receiving elements of greater cross sectional area or of different texture to obtain any desired change in the area or position of the spots on the yarn. r

The. device is shown for use in applying a suitable coloring agent to a traveling yarn or thread, but it will be understood from the foregoing descriptionithat I do not confine myself to such use, as a moisteningor softeningliquid or agent may be employed and applied to the yarn or thread in a manner corresponding to theapplication of thecoloring agent, and any other liquid or semi-liquid substance in a suitable state, to be gathered by a receiving element and by it transmitted to the yarn or thread may be successfully handled with this apparatus, a feature of which is the delivery of the agent to the container and the receiving element and through orby the receiving element transmitted or applied to the traveling yarn or thread or other material that is moving through the container.

I claim as my invention:

1. A means for applying a coloring, moistening or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread, comprising an element adapted to receive such agent and means supporting said element at each end only to contact its surface intermediate its ends intermit tently with the traveling yarn or thread.

2. A means for applying a coloring, moistening or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread, consisting of an element having means supporting it to contact its surface intermediate its ends intermittently with the traveling yarn or thread and means whereby the point of contact between the yarn and elementwill be changed.

3. A means for applying a coloring, moistening or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread, consisting of an element having means supporting it to contact its.

surface intermediate to its ends intermittent ly with the traveling yarn or thread, and means for shifting the yarn lengthwise of said elementto change its point ofcontact' '3 therewith.

4. means for applying a coloring, m'oistenlng or'so-ftening agent to a travellng yarnor thread, comprismg a plurality of fibrous elements'and' means supporting them in spaced relation transversely of the traveling yarn, each element having an area for contact intermittently with the yarn, means for delivering a coloring, moisteningor soft ening agent to such area and means for causing a'relative movement of the yarn and elements transversely of the yarn.

5. A means for applying a coloring, moistening or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread, comprising a plurality of 1 elements supported only at their: ends and adapted to receive such agent and arranged at intervals and having areasintermediate their ends for contact intermittently with a traveling yarn or thread.

6. A means for applying a suitable liquid agent to a traveling yarn or thread, comprising a fibrous element support-edto allowits middle portion to have freedom of lateral movement adapted to collect such agent, and having an area intermediate its ends for contact intermittently with the traveling yarn or thread.

7. A means for applying a suitable liquid agent to a traveling yarn or thread, comprising a plurality of fibrous elements spaced apart and supported to allow freedom. of movement of their middle portions transversely of the traveling yarn and each hav-' ing anarea adjacent the middle portion therei of for contact intermittently withthe yarn;

8. A means for applying a liquid agent to a traveling yarn or thread, 1 comprising a plurality of fibrous elements comparatively small in cross section and adapted to receive such agent and supported for engagement of areas intermediate their ends with the yarn, said elements as a whole being readily removable for substitution of a set of ele ments of greater or less diameter tovary'the' T size of the spots on the yarn, for the purpose specified.

9. A cans for applying asuitable color ing or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread, comprising an element having a surface adapted to'receive and retain temporarily such agent, means for pro ecting'the1 agent upon such surface, and means'supp'ort ingthe ends of said element whereby the intermediate portion may contact with the yarn intermittently.

10. A rotor having elements mounted at intervals'therein and extending'substantially parallel with'its axis of rotation and in the path of the travelingyarn-or thread for contact intermittently therewith, said elements being supported only at their ends and-adapt v ed to receive a suitable liquid agent for trans mission to the yarn or thread.

-11. A rotor and a plurality of dye receiving elements supported therein for contact intermittently with a traveling yarn or thread, and means for moving the yarn aXially with respect to said rotor to vary the point ofcontact with said elements. 12. -A rotor having a hub and members radiating in pairs therefrom with the pairs in with said eyes and bridging the space between the opposite members, said elements having areas for contact at intervals with a traveling yarn or thread.

15. The combination with arotor composed of oppositely disposed members spaced apart, of elements bridging the gap at intervals be'-.-

tween said members transversely to their direction of rotation and adapted to contact with the traveling yarn or thread, and means for applying a fluid tosaid elements.

16. A rotor comprising oppositely disposed members, and dye receiving elements connecting said members at intervals, the said rotor being adapted to be operated by a moving yarn or thread partially encirclingsaidrotor and contacting successively with said ele-,- I

merits, and a nozzle disposed externally and circumferentially of the periphery of said rotor for depositing a liquidupon the yarn contacting surfaces of said elements.

17. In a dyeing machine, a, rotor, aplurality of receiving elements peripherally ar-% ranged in said rotorrparallel with its axis,v and adapted to be engaged by a traveling yarn to operate said rotor, and a nozzle dis posed externally and circumferentiallyof the periphery of saidrotor'for applyingv a fluid like substance upon the yarn contacting surfaces of said elements for transmission to theyarn.

. 18. The combination with a container hav ing aliquid receiving chamber, of a rotor mounted therein and having a plurality of liquid receiving elements for contact intermittently with a yarn .0! thread traveling through said chamber, said elements having portions unsupported intermediate their ends for contact with the yarn or thread: and

means for discharging a liquid into said chamber.

19. The combination with a dye container having a liquid receiving chamber, of a rotor mounted therein and having a plurality of fibrous elements extending in a direction parallel substantially with the axis of rotation of said rotor and having areas for contact intermittently with a yarn or thread traveling through said chamber and means for discharging dye upon said areas.

20. The combination with a container having ports in its walls to receive a traveling.

yarn or thread and provided with a chamher, of a rotor and a carrier therefor, said rotor being positioned in the path of the traveling yarn or thread and provided with a coloring, softening or moistening receiving means for contact intermittently with the yarn or thread and means for projecting a coloring agent upon said means.

21. The combination with a container having ports in its walls to receive a traveling yarn or thread, of a rotor carrier and a rotor projecting into said container, a plurality of liquid receiving elements mounted in said rotor and adapted to be engaged by the travcling yarn for operating said rotor, said elements being adapted to apply the liquidintermittently to the yarn and means for projecting the liquid into said container upon the yarn contacting surfaces of said elements.

22. The combination with a container, and a rotor carrier and rotor removably mounted thereon and projecting into said container, of a plurality of dye receiving elements sup ported in said rotor at intervals for contact intermittently with a yarn or thread traveling through said container, and means for shifting the yarn laterally to change its point of contact with said elements.

23. The combination with a container and means for pro ectlng a dye therem, of a rotor,

carrier and rotor supported thereby projectinp into said container, a plurality of dye receiving elements mounted in said rotor and each movable to a position to intersect the jet of dye, said elements being in the path of a yarn or thread traveling through said container to be engaged and operated through contact with such thread, for the purpose specified.

24, The combination with a container and means for projecting a liquid therein, of a rotor carrier adapted to form the top of said container, a rotor removably mounted on said carrier, a series of receiving elements mounted at intervals in said rotor, said carrier being movable for access to said rotor, and said elements being in the path of a yarn or thread traveling through said container for contact with and to be actuated thereby.

25. The combination with a container and means for delivering a jet of liquid thereto, the walls of said container having openings through which a traveling yarn or thread may pass, a rotor in saidcontainer and a plurality of receiving elements mounted thereinfor contact with the travelingyarn, and mechanisnrfor shifting the yarn back and forth on said elements tovary its point of contacttlicrewith, i

; 26. A. yarn orthread dyeing device co m prising a cup like container having a dye receivingnozzle and a'discharge port, a rotor in said container and a pivoted carrier therefor, saidrotor being inthe path of .the yarn or thread passing through, said container and having a plurality of dyereceiving elements supported in said rotor to contact with thetraveling yarn for driving said rotor, said dye receiving elementshaving theiryarn contacting surfaces in the path of the dye discharged from said nozzle. l

27. A device comprising a container 1m. ing a delivering nozzle andanoutletport, a rotor? and car-riertherefor. and cover for said container, a plurality of receiving elements mountedin said rotor for contact with a traveling yarn or thread passing through said container, suitable guides for the yarnor thread, one of them having a tilting move ment, and acam mechanism foractuating said tilting guide toshift the yarn on said receiving elements and change its point of contact therewith. j q 1 r "28. A container and means for moving a yarn or thread therethrough, means for;discharging a suitable agent in comparatively fine stream into said. container and means having a yarn'contacting surface upon which the agent is deposited for application to the yarn or thread. a l 1 1 29. A container and means for moving a yarn or threadtherethrough, means for pro jectinga suitable agent in substantially a liquid form under pressure into said container, means having a yarn contacting surface in the path of such agent for applying it to the yarn or thread, and means whereby such application will be intermittent.

30. A means for discharging a stream of liquid into a confined area, means for passing a yarn or thread through such area, and means having a yarn contacting surface in the path of the liquid stream adapted to receive and apply it to the yarn or thread.

31. A means for applying a coloring, moistening or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread comprising a plurality of elements having areas for contact with a traveling yarn or thread and means for intermittently applying said agent in separate and indi vidual charges to each of said elements.

82. A container and means for moving a yarn or thread therethrough, means for delivering a suitable agent in substantially a liquid form to said container, a plurality of elements within said container and having areas for contact'intermittently with a yarn or thread moving' through said container, i' a said elements being adapted to receive said agent in separate and individual charges} 331A container and mean'sifor moving a I yarn 'or-thread therethrough, means for delivering a suitable agent in substantially a liquid form to said container, a plurality of I elements'mounted in said container in position to be engaged and moved by the yarn or thread passing through said -container,'the

contact of said elements with the yarn or thread being intermittent and each element being adapted to receive the. agent delivered to said container. 7 i

to said container, a plurality of elements spaced apart and having means supporting them to revolve within said container, said elementsbeing adaptedto receive the coloring' or softening agent'andhaving areas inter I mediate their ends for contact intermittentlywiththe moving yarn or thread, said contamer havlng means for discharging the surplus'color ng 'or softeningagent received by said elements,

T 35. A means for applying a coloring, mois- V teni'ng or softening agent to a traveling yarn or thread comprising a plurality of elements having areas for contact with a traveling-yarn or thread, rotating means supporting said elements whereby they will have freedom of oscillation under contact of the traveling yarn or thread therewith and a nozzle disposed externally and 'circumferentially of said a rotating means for applying said agent to said elements.

. In'witness whereof, I have' hereunto :set i I my hand this 7th dayof May', 1928. r 1 FRANKLIN CHAT FIELD:

34. A container and means for moving a y'arn'or thread therethrougli, means for delivering a suitable coloring or softening agent a 

